CHAPTER
TWENTY
Jade
Imight need to reconsider my life choices when the new year comes.
I mulled over the possibility as I triple checked the length of my evening gown—a deep, emerald green dress that had a black lace overlay, a fitted waist, and long skirts I’d be able to tie up if the need for combat arose.
The dress—and the matching black heels—were mine. The slayer need for subterfuge in any type of setting meant I’d trained to fight, run, and operate in gowns and heels, so I had several fitted dresses in my wardrobe.
The diamond earrings and necklace that adorned my ears and neck, and probably cost as much as a car, were borrowed.
“Do you want another dagger, or maybe a gun?” Considine took my right hand and kissed the top, his red eyes scanning me.
“I have a suitable number of daggers, considering my blood would be my greatest weapon,” I said. “Why? Do you think I need more?”
I only had two daggers—one tucked into my clutch, another nestled carefully in my bust. I also had my hair sticks—my hair was just barely long enough that I could pin the front and sides up with hairpins and affix my hair sticks there in case I needed a stabbing weapon.
“No. Even if the worst should happen, you wouldn’t ever have to use them. I’d just take control of all the vampires on the property.” Considine—possibly at his most charming and modern with his black suit and black undershirt—rubbed his jaw, which sported his perpetual scruff. “But you’re about to enter a party full of vampires. I want you to feel comfortable. If more weapons will do that, I’d be happy to provide them.”
I shook my head. “It’s unnecessary. However…” I paused, not sure if I should vocalize what I was feeling.
It might bring more trouble than it’s worth.
“However?” Considine prompted.
“I would prefer if we’re not separated during the gala,” I said.
A smirk briefly breached Considine’s lips, dying away much faster than I expected as he stared at me. “Because you trust me?”
“Of course,” I said. “We’re partners.”
Considine relaxed. He flexed his hands, but while I could tell he wanted to invade my space, he held back.
I automatically edged closer to him, stepping into the hug he clearly wanted to give me. It wasn’t until I felt his hands slide around my waist and I was pressed against his chest that I realizedIwas also relaxing.
…He did it. Somehow, without my notice, I came to feel deeply for him as far more than friends.
It took more than a moment for that to sink in.
His so-called seduction had baffled me from the start, and although I was the recipient of his campaign, I was still slightly confused how he’d pulled it off.
Was it his persistence? Or just that he seemed to be very aware and accepting of the many facets of my life, and was working hard to insert himself into them? I’d seen thousands of handsome and charming vampires before, so I didn’t even have the excuse that he was dazzling, even if he was better looking than them all.
I rested my cheek on his chest, half afraid to continue the train of thought.
“I will forever be weirded out by this.”
I pulled back from Considine, blushing under the flat gaze of Killian Drake, who was arm in arm with his wife, Hazel Medeis.
Hazel gave her husband something I recognized from my own parents as ‘the look’. “Like you have room to judge?” she asked.
Hazel was wearing a beautiful evening gown in a shade of blue that I was pretty certain was one of House Medeis’s colors. She had a matching clutch that probably contained a handgun based on its unique shape.
“I didn’t mean them as a couple,” Killian said. “I meant I’d have to get used to Considine not being villainous and plotting schemes in dark corners while delighting in the fear of others.”
Considine let his arms slide off my waist, just so he could maneuver himself against my side, tucking his arm around my shoulders. “As if you have ever been afraid of me.”
